Suicide Prevention, Available Suicide Programs, Related Policies and Procedures
As required by Missouri law (Mo. Rev. Stat. §173.1200), this policy is intended to advice Cox College students, faculty, and staff of certain national, regional, and local suicide programs available on and off the Cox College campuses. Additionally, the proper procedure for identifying and addressing the needs of students exhibiting suicidal behavior, and available college training regarding suicide prevention and response.
- Crisis intervention access, which includes information from national, state, and local suicide prevention hotlines;
- Mental health program access, which provides information on the availability of local mental health services, and counseling services;
- Multimedia application access, which includes crisis hotline contact information, suicide warning signs, resources offered, and free-of-cost applications;
- Student communication plans, which consist of creating outreach plans regarding educational activities on suicide prevention.
Suicide prevention program available to students, faculty, and staff
The college has identified certain national, state, and local suicide prevention resources for individuals exhibiting suicidal tendencies or behavior(s):
Cox College's online suicide prevention training program is available here: https://www.asklistenrefer.org/cox
National suicide prevention hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
988
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Test Line:
Text Home to 741741
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 press 1
Test: 838255
State and local suicide prevention resources
Springfield
Burrell Access Crisis Intervention (ACI) System
1-800-494-7355 (Greene County)
Springfield Police Department
417-864-1810
Greene County Sheriff
417-868-4040
On-campus suicide prevention resources
Springfield
Cox College Counseling Center
Cell: 417-421-3796
Cox Hospital North Security Services
(417) 269-3715
Officer available 24/7
Vice President of Student Affairs
417-269-3469
Mental health access programs
The college has identified the following mental health access programs, which can provide students, faculty, and staff information about local counseling and mental health clinics, and student health services.
Barry/Lawrence County
Clark Community Mental Health Center
1701 n Central Avenue
Monett, MO 65708
417-235-6610
Greene County
Burrell Behavioral Health
1300 Bradford Parkway
Springfield, MO 65804
Texas County
Ozark Medical Center Behavioral Healthcare
800-492-9439 or 417-257-6762
1211 Porter Wagoner Blvd.
PO Box 1100
West Plains, MO 65775
Cox College Counseling Services
Email: Raquel.morrow@coxcollege.edu
Office: 417-269-3225
Cell: 417-421-3796
Cox College faculty and staff services
Cox Health Systems offers and employee assistance program (EAP) for its employees. The EAP is a free, confidential counseling service to help employees with a wide range of problems. EAP therapists can provide information, support, and referral services to assist with employee mental health concerns. The following EAP program is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year:
Phone: (800) 269-6022
Access to additional information regarding the Cox Health System EAP can be found at:
Cox Health System Employee EAP
Procedures for identifying suicide concerns
Common warning signs exist that can indicate a person may be considering harming themselves or others. All members of the college should be aware of suicide warning signs, and be able to report concerns regarding students, faculty, or staff displaying these signs. Some, but not all suicide warning signs are:
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Erratic/unusual sleep (sleeping too much or too little)
- Reckless behavior or impulsivity
- Increased anger or rage
- Giving away personal possessions
- Feeling trapped, isolated, withdrawn, helpless, hopeless, or burdensome
- Previous suicide attempts
- Searching for ways to die (such as trying to obtain a weapon or researching ways to die on the internet)
- Experiencing significant loss (such as relationship break up, status/prestige or physical impairment)
- Abuse or increased use of alcohol or other drug(s)
- Talking about suicide, wanting to die or kill oneself
- Making a suicide plan
Concerned individuals should report these concerns to any of the national, local or campus resource indicated in this policy.
To see that students receive up-to-date resources regarding suicide prevention and program access information, the counselor, prior to the beginning of each academic semester will detail the college’s outreach plan regarding educational and other outreach activities planned throughout the semester. These activities will be directed toward students and offer suicide prevention and program awareness information. The counselor will work with other members of the college community in implementing these plans, including creating the content for distribution to students.
Post intervention plans to communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty, and staff after the loss of a student to suicide.
The college has developed a plan to communicate with individuals impacted by the death of a student, including students whose death is caused by suicide. The plan involves the coordination of multiples members of the college to address a variety of issues, including but not limited to; the student’s academic progress, mental health needs, and any other areas that might be alleviated by college intervention.
Procedures to identifying and addressing the needs of students exhibiting suicidal tendencies or behavior, and shall provide training, where appropriate.
The college has an active response plan for students, faculty, and staff regarding the proper procedure for identifying and addressing the needs of students exhibiting suicidal tendencies or behavior(s). The college community is encouraged to actively respond to students in distress, including those students exhibiting suicidal tendencies. The college advises students, faculty, and staff to:
See Something
Faculty, staff, and students may be the first person to see something distressing in a student. These individuals are encouraged to respond compassionately to a student that may be exhibiting symptoms of distress, including suicidal behaviors.
Say Something
Often, an initial discussion a student in distress can identify or alleviate concerning behaviors or distress in suicidal students. When engaging an individual exhibiting suicidal behaviors, faculty, staff, or a student should:
- Be direct: do not be afraid to ask the student directly if they are having thoughts of harming themselves or others.
- Listen sensitively and carefully: Use a non-confrontational approach and a calm voice. Avoid threatening, humiliating and/or intimidating responses.
- Follow through: Direct the student to additional available resources such as the Cox College Counseling Center, or other college personnel.
- Consult others and document your interactions: Document your interactions with the distressed student.
Do Something
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to contact 911 or local law enforcement if a student’s conduct is clearly and imminently reckless, disorderly, dangerous, or threatening to themselves or others, or is exhibiting suicidal behavior.
Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to contact the Vice President of Student Affairs, Cox College Counselor, or submit a report to the Care Team at Care Team Reporting Form if a student shows signs of distress. Observing individuals are encouraged to notify the Cox College Care Team, Counselor, or Vice President of Student Affairs office even if they are not concerned with the student’s immediate safety, but are still concerned with the student’s academic and/or personal issues.
Individuals may submit an Anonymous Care Team Report for any concerns regarding unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent, or criminal activities, or the threat of such activities.
Availability of resources
This policy and additional information about depression and suicide prevention resources will be made available to students and will be provided to incoming students each academic semester.